Turns Over Fine Just Won't Start . . .

[treeguy]

I put my truck back together 1990 2.9L 5 Spd. and did the whole finger over the #1 cylinder turned it over by hand till it went phhhhhht and then looked at the distributor and verified it was in the right place (roughly 10 or 11 o'clock) and then put the engine into the truck and buttoned it up. I didn't bother to switch out the old gas (1/4 tank truck was sitting for around 3-4 years) and reset the inertia switch and the fuel pump made the familiar hum . . . it turns over nicely (smoothly not rough at all) and no backfiring . . . it just won't start . . . SO today I siphoned the old fuel and put 5 fresh gallons in (plus injector cleaner) and turned it over 2 more times separately . . . is it safe to assume the old gas is still in the system ??? If so how should I get rid of it ??? I will check for codes tonight . . . thanks for the input . . .

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Yea you probably have old gas in there disconnect the fuel rail line in and put it in a jar and cycle the pump to get good fuel to the injectors. pour a little gas in the throttle body as you crank it see if it will pop or start. when you lined the dizzy up did you put the timing mark on top dead center after you felt the compression. If you have a remote start button you can check the timing with a light as you crank it.

 

[treeguy]

Well I pulled a few plugs checked for spark and it was there, but there wasn't any really wet spark plugs mostly seemed dry . . . so I pushed the "plunger" on the fuel rail and fuel sprayed out . . . but it seems to not be getting to the spark plugs . . . should I assume the injectors are plugged ??? Or some sort of screen . . . I haven't checked the throttle body or tried to pour some fuel in there to see it that would help . . . is there a cheap source for fuel injectors ??

 

[kimcrwbr1]

I don`t imagine they all should be plugged pour some fuel down the TD or use starting fluid to see if you get it to pop

 

[kimcrwbr1]

TB throttle body

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Check for voltage to the injectors see if they are firing also

 

[trail B2]

If it was me I would try the starter fluid thing if it doesn't fire right away stop.Do the distributor over again make sure its no 1 get compression set it to 0 with a socket wrench put a light on the tab on the harmonic balancer see exactly what you have.Pull the distributor cap and see if the rotor is under the no. 1 plug wire.Also double check all the plug wires make sure the routing is right.Whenever I had the new motor that wouldn't start those are the area's that have given me trouble.

 

[treeguy]

I am a little confused about how to set it to 0 by looking at the harmonic balancer what should I look at . . . the tab is obvious but what numbers should it be pointed at at TDC . . . . I understand how to set it in the ball park but that is about it . . . it is also unclear in the manual where exactly the throttle body is . . . I will recheck the routing of the wires off the distributor . . .

 

[kimcrwbr1]

It is easier to get under the front and turn the crank with a socket on the damper bolt then you can see the letters and numbers on mine tdc is a notch and each mark is 2 degrees but take a white or yellow crayon or marker to mark 10 degrees btdc and top dead center if necessary then turn the crank with the socket untill you feel pressure out the #1 plug hole and turn the crank until tdc mark is lined up with the pointer then check where the rotor is you want it about 11 oclock or pointing toward the #1 mark on the cap. the dizzy turns as you drop it so if it dont go all the way down estimate where it would end up all the way down and turn the crank until the dizzy slips down on the oil pump shaft then turn it back to tdc and check the rotor again you will know 1 tooth either way carefully lift the dizzy till you can spin it free and move it the direction it needs to go I normally takes me a couple times to get it right just take your time you will figure it out. allways turn the crank clockwise if you turn it backwards you take the chance on skipping a tooth on the timing chain then you have to pull the front of the motor apart.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Oh yea I am not sure where your timing should be it is 10 dbtdc on earlier rangers not sure on yours tho.

 

[treeguy]

Will give that a try and thanks.

 

[RangerJ]

Did you fix it. If so what did you do? Thanks

 

[treeguy]

I haven't had a chance to look at it yet . . . will try to make it a priority this week !! I will definitely post the results . . . Thanks for the interest . . . sorry its taking so long!

 

[treeguy]

Well the timing seems ok . . . I rechecked with my thumb over #1 cylinder and turning the crankcase pulley clockwise till it went pfffffffft . . . then looked at the pulley & timing indicator and then turned it to TDC and then pulled the distributor cap and it was pointing at the number 1 cylinder. I then peered into the #1 cylinder hole to verify the piston was all the way up and it was . . . so I then pulled each spark plug to verify spark each sparked nicely . . . but 1-dry, 2&3 wet, 6-dry, 4 & 5 dryish . . . I am not sure where the throttle body is, or how to use starting fluid properly . . . do I just squirt it into the air intake off the air filter, how do I check for juice for the injectors . . . ?? When I do turn it over it feels very smooth . . . and I did a KOEO test and pulled no trouble codes . . . I again pushed the Schrader valve and fuel squirted out no problem . . . I would like to see if it will just turn over but want to do it safely . . . I may just pull the injectors and have them tested . . . but I am not sure . . .